Succession to the Crown Bill

Debate between Edward Leigh and Michael Ellis

Monday 28th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Leigh]

No, I am not a supporter of the Duke of Bavaria.

[Michael Ellis]

My hon. Friend mentioned the Archbishop of Canterbury potentially taking over the position of Supreme Governor of the Church of England, but would that not be rather incongruous? The Archbishop of Canterbury, at least in theory, is appointed by the sovereign. The sovereign would therefore be appointing an archbishop who would then take over their role, as far as the primacy of the Church is concerned.

[Mr Leigh]

This was an idea proffered by my hon. Friend the Member for Beckenham (Bob Stewart), and perhaps it was a mistake for me even to mention it. We are now in danger of dancing on the head of a pin and getting into a level of complexity that is not helping the argument.